Mount for securing an image to fabric

ABSTRACT

A mount for securing an image to fabric and fabric items including said mount. The mount is designed to secure, protect, enclose and display an image when attached to a fabric which can have significantly higher elasticity than the image. Portions of the mount may have an elasticity intermediate the elasticity of the fabric and the image. The mount may include reinforcing materials. The mount may be sewn, glued or otherwise bonded to fabric. The fabric may comprise an item of apparel, for example a wrist band, head band.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Design patent application 29/385,773entitled “CLOTH BAND” filed Feb. 18, 2011 (ATTY. DKT. POWER-01001US0)which is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mount for securing an image to a fabricitem. The mount can be utilized to secure an image to fabricincorporated in an item to be worn on the body. In particular, the mountis suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in an item tobe snugly fit one the body. The fabric in such items is typicallyelastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting froma mount which, in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric, and inpart protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which woulddamage or eject the image. The mount is suitable for securing andprotecting images printed on an image medium. The image can be, forexample, a pictorial, photographic, and/or holographic image.

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides amount suitable for securing an image to fabric.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention providesmethod for manufacturing a mount suitable for securing an image tofabric.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides amethod for securing an image to fabric.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides afabric item incorporating a mount suitable for securing an image tofabric.

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides anitem of apparel incorporating a mount suitable for securing an image tofabric.

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides animage sealed in a mount suitable for securing the image to fabric.

Thus, components, finished items, and methods are provided in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention. Other objects, featuresand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings andfrom the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further features, advantages and benefits of the presentinvention will be apparent upon consideration of the present descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a wristband including a mountaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a side elevational view of the wristband of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows an end elevational view of the wristband of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D shows a sectional view through the mount and one side of thewristband of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E shows an exploded view of components of the mount of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2E shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2F shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

FIG. 2G shows a perspective view of a headband including an alternativemount according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best modes presently contemplatedfor practicing various embodiments of the present invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention.It is to be understood that features described in reference toparticular embodiments may be combined with features of other particularembodiments. The scope of the invention should be ascertained withreference to the claims. In the description of the invention thatfollows, like numerals or reference designators will be used to refer tolike parts or elements throughout. In addition, the first digit of areference number identifies the series of drawings in which thereference number first appears.

The present invention is illustrated by reference to an embodiment ofthe invention in which a mount is utilized to secure an image to fabricincorporated in an item to be worn on the body. The image is a text,pictorial, photographic and/or holographic image reproduced on a thinsheet of a suitable medium. In the particular embodiment described, themount is designed to secure an image to fabric incorporated in an itemto be snugly fit one the body. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the itemof apparel is a wristband designed to be stretched over the hand andworn snugly about the wrist. The fabric of the wristband iselastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting froma mount which, in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric, and inpart protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which woulddamage and/or eject the image.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a wristband including a mountaccording to the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a side elevationalview of the wristband of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C shows an end elevational viewof the wristband of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D shows a sectional view through themount and one side of the wristband of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1E shows anexploded view of components of the mount of FIG. 1A.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1C, the wristband 100 comprises a tube offabric 120, and the mount 140. The tube of fabric 120 has an opening 121such that tube of fabric 120 can pass over the hand of a person to beworn around the wrist of the person. An image 160 is displayed on theouter surface 122 of the tube of fabric 120 and is secured in place bymount 140. Mount 140 includes a dimensionally-stable enclosure for image160. Mount 140 is secured to the tube of fabric 120 by stitching 124which passes through the periphery of mount 140 and through a portion ofthe tube of fabric 120.

Mount 140 includes a transparent lens 142, a base 144, and a housing150. Image 160 is positioned inside a peripheral rim 152 of housing 150and under transparent lens 142. Base 144 is in this embodiment the sameshape as housing 150 (circular) and somewhat larger in size than housing150. Base 144 therefore protrudes from beneath housing 150 in the formof a bezel. Transparent lens 142 is in some embodiments, curved on theoutward facing surface. In alternative embodiments, transparent lens 142is a flat disc. Image 160 is visible through the transparent lens 142.Transparent lens 142 is bonded to peripheral rim 152 thereby sealingimage 160 into housing 150. Transparent lens 142 and housing 150together form a dimensionally-stable enclosure for image 160 therebyprotecting image 160 from damage and/or ejection from the housing 150.

The image 160 is text, pictorial, photographic and/or holographic imagereproduced on a thin sheet of a suitable medium. In particularembodiments, the image functions as a user ID, provides healthinformation, or is ornamental. The image 160 is reproduced on a papermedium, polymer medium and or metal/metalized medium suitable forreproduction of the particular image. The image 160 can be bonded tohousing 150 or can be free-floating between housing 150 and lens 142.

FIG. 1D shows a sectional view through one side of wristband 100 alongthe axis D-D shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1D, Housing 150 includesa back-plate 154 and rim 152. Rim 152 runs around the periphery ofback-plate 154 thereby defining a shallow cavity 156. Shallow cavity 156is preferably the same size and shape as image 160. The depth of shallowcavity 160 is sufficient to receive image 160 and transparent lens 142.

As shown in FIG. 1D, image 160 is received in shallow cavity 156.Transparent lens 142 covers image 160 and is bonded to rim 152 therebysecuring and protecting image 160 within shallow cavity 156. Transparentlens 142 and housing 150 together form a sealed enclosure for image 160thereby protecting image 160 from damage and/or ejection from thehousing 150. In a preferred embodiment, housing 150 is made of arelative inelastic polymer so as to resist dimensional changes inshallow cavity 156 due the stretching of housing 150. In a preferredembodiment, rim 152 and back-plate 154 are formed in one piece from apolymer. For example, rim 152 and back-plate 154 can be made fromsilicone using a suitably shaped mold. Back-plate 154 can optionallyinclude a fabric/fiber reinforcing material (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 1D, base 144 is a continuous planar structurewhich extends beneath housing 150. Housing 150 is bonded or glued tobase 144 over the entire area of contact between housing 150 and base144. In the embodiment shown, base 144 includes a sewing channel 146around the periphery of base 144. Sewing channel 146 serves as a guidefor stitching 124 which passes through base 144 and outer layer 126 offabric tube 120. Alternative embodiments need not include sewing channel146, for example, where base 144 is to be bonded or glued to a fabricbase rather than sewn.

In a preferred embodiment, base 144 is formed in one piece from apolymer. For example, base 144 is, in a preferred embodiment, made fromsilicone using a suitably shaped mold. In a preferred embodiment, base144 is made of a polymer having more elasticity than housing 150. Forexample, base 144 is, in a preferred embodiment, made from a silicone oflower durometer than the silicone used to manufacture the housing 150.Base 144 can also optionally include a fabric/fiber reinforcingmaterial.

Referring again to FIG. 1D, reinforcing stitching 128 is shown in outerlayer 126 of fabric tube 120 beneath base 144. Reinforcing stitching 128is designed to reduce the elasticity of outer layer 126 of fabric tube120 in the region beneath base 144 to strengthen the attachment of base144 to outer layer 126 of fabric tube 120 by stitching 124. Inalternative embodiments, a layer of interface material can be stitchedto either or both sides of outer layer 126 to further reduce stretch inthe region beneath base 144. As shown in FIG. 1D, fabric tube 120comprises an outer layer 126 and an inner layer 127. After attachment ofbase 144 the ends of inner layer 127 are folded together and joined byseam 129. Thus stitching 124 and reinforcing stitching 128 is notvisible on the reverse side of outer layer 126 after completion ofwristband 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the stock material of fabric tube 120 iswoven in a tube shape of the correct diameter for the application. Thefabric of fabric tube 120 is in some embodiments elasticized wovencotton. The cotton is elasticized by the addition of, for example latex,spandex or the like. However, other stretchable fabrics, as describedherein, can also be used depending on the application to which the itemwill be put.

FIG. 1E shows an exploded partial sectional view of the components ofmount 140. As illustrated in FIG. 1E, housing 150 includes back-plate154 and rim 152 around the periphery of back-plate 154. Rim 152 issufficiently deep to define shallow cavity 156 which can accommodateimage 160 and transparent lens 142 (see FIG. 1A). Housing 150 is formedand then image 160 is placed within shallow cavity 156. Shallow cavity156 and image 160 are preferably designed to have congruent shapes suchthat image 160 spans the entirety of shallow cavity 156. After image 160is placed in shallow cavity 156, image 160 is secured in place bytransparent lens 142. As illustrated in FIG. 1E, transparent lens 142can be formed in situ using a transparent liquid polymer 143 to fillshallow cavity 156 above image 160.

The physical and chemical properties of transparent liquid polymer 143are selected to prevent damage to image 160. In a preferred embodimentwhere housing 150 is made of silicone, a clear silicone is utilized tofill shallow cavity 156 above image 160 to form transparent lens 142. Inthis embodiment, the clear silicone of transparent lens 142 bondsspontaneously with the silicone of rim 152 of housing 150 without theneed for additional agents or techniques. In alternative embodiments,transparent lens 142 is formed as a separate component and subsequentlybonded/adhered to rim 152 after placement of image 160 in shallow cavity156.

As shown in FIG. 1E, base 144 includes a sewing channel 146 around theperiphery of base 144. Sewing channel 146 serves as a guide forstitching 124 (see FIG. 1D which passes through base 144 and outer layer126 of fabric tube 120 (see FIG. 1D). In a preferred embodiment, base144 is formed separate from housing 150. Housing 150 is then mounted tothe center of base 144 using an adhesive or bonding technology. Forexample, a silicone adhesive or liquid silicone can be utilized to bondhousing 150 to base 144 before or after installation of image 160 and/ortransparent lens 142.

In a preferred embodiment, the mount—including the lens, housing andbase are made of silicone. The housing and base are made of a black,white or colored silicone and the lens is made from a transparentsilicone. In alternative embodiments, the housing and base can also bemade of a transparent silicone. As previously discussed, it is preferredthat the elasticity of the base is higher than that of the housing so asto better accommodate stretch in the fabric to which the base issecured. The mount can alternatively be made from and/or include a widerange of materials including, but not limited to: natural and syntheticrubbers; Butadiene rubbers; Chloroprene rubbers; Butyl rubbers;Styrene-Butadiene rubbers; Nitrile rubbers; Ethylene-propylene rubber;Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber; Epichlorohydrin rubber; Polysulfiderubber; Polyacrylic rubber; Silicone rubber; Fluorosilicone Rubber;Fluoroelastomers; Perfluoroelastomers Polyether block amides;Chlorosulfonated polyethylene; Ethylene-vinyl acetate; resilin; elastin;and thermoplastic elastomers. The material of the mount is selected tohave the mechanical properties necessary to protect the selected imageand secure it to the selected fabric. The material of the lens isselected to protect the selected image and allow viewing of the selectedimage, i.e. the material should be transparent and/or translucent.

The mount of the present invention can be made in a variety of shapes,sizes and configurations. For example, the base can be made in acircular, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped,hexagonal or other polygon-shaped configuration. Likewise, the housingcan be made in a, circular, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped,diamond-shaped, hexagonal or other polygon-shaped configuration. Thebase and the housing can have the same shape or different shapes. FIGS.2A-2G illustrate some of the many possible variations andconfigurations.

FIG. 2A, shows a perspective view of wristband 200 a according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 a comprises a tube of fabric220 a, and a circular mount 240 a including a circular housing 250 a forholding a circular image 260 a protected by a circular transparent lens242 a. Circular housing 250 a is mounted on a circular base 244 a. Inthis embodiment, mount 240 a is not secured to the tube of fabric 220 aby stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bondingtechnique.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of wristband 200 b according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 b comprises a tube of fabric220 b, and a square mount 240 b including a square housing 250 b forholding a square image 260 b protected by a square transparent lens 242b. Square housing 250 b is mounted on a square base 244 b. In thisembodiment, mount 240 b is not secured to the tube of fabric 220 b bystitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bondingtechnique.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of wristband 200 c according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 c comprises a tube of fabric220 c, and an oval mount 240 c including an oval housing 250 c forholding an oval image 260 c protected by an oval transparent lens 242 c.Oval housing 250 c is mounted on an oval base 244 c. In this embodiment,oval mount 240 c is not secured to the tube of fabric 220 c by stitchingbut is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique.

FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of wristband 200 d according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 d comprises a tube of fabric220 d, and a hexagonal mount 240 d including a hexagonal housing 250 dfor holding a hexagonal image 260 d protected by a hexagonal transparentlens 242 d. Hexagonal housing 250 d is mounted on a hexagonal base 244d. In this embodiment, mount 240 d is not secured to the tube of fabric220 d by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or otherbonding technique.

FIG. 2E shows a perspective view of wristband 200 e according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 e comprises a tube of fabric220 e, and a star-shaped mount 240 e including a star-shaped housing 250e for holding a star-shaped image 260 e protected by a star-shapedtransparent lens 242 e. Star-shaped housing 250 e is mounted on astar-shaped base 244 e. In this embodiment, mount 240 e is not securedto the tube of fabric 220 e by stitching but is instead secured using anadhesive or other bonding technique.

FIG. 2F shows a perspective view of wristband 200 f according to anembodiment of the invention. Wristband 200 f comprises a tube of fabric220 f, and a diamond-shaped mount 240 f including a diamond-shapedhousing 250 f for holding a diamond-shaped image 260 f protected by adiamond-shaped transparent lens 242 f. Diamond-shaped housing 250 f ismounted on a diamond-shaped base 244 f. In this embodiment, mount 240 fis not secured to the tube of fabric 220 f by stitching but is insteadsecured using an adhesive or other bonding technique.

The mount of the present invention can be used to secure an image to awide variety of fabric items. For example, FIG. 2G shows a perspectiveview of headband 200 g according to an embodiment of the invention.Headband 200 g comprises a tube of fabric 220 g, and a square mount 240g including a circular housing 250 g for holding a circular image 260 gprotected by a circular transparent lens 242 g. Circular housing 250 gis mounted on a square base 244 g. In this embodiment, mount 240 g issecured to the tube of fabric 220 g by stitching 224 g. As shown, thebase and the housing can be different shapes.

The mount of the present invention can be utilized to secure an image tofabric incorporated in an item to be worn on the body. In particular,the mount is suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in anitem to be snugly fit on the body. The fabric in such items is typicallyelastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting froma mount which in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric and inpart protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which woulddamage or eject the image. The mount is particularly suitable forattachment of an image to stretchable fabrics including, for example,wovens, knits, one-way stretch fabrics, two-way stretch fabrics,four-way stretch fabrics, cotton-wrapped elastics, stretchable naturalfabrics, wools, cottons, silks, neoprene, spandex, elastane, LYCRA™,rayon, polyester, and nylons.

Although illustrated in conjunction with wristbands and headbands, themount is suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in a widerange of items to be worn on the body. In particular embodiments, themount is used to secure the image to fabric items including, forexample: pants, hats, belts, shoes, jackets, headbands, swimwear, socks,underwear, caps, beanies, fedoras, gloves, sports equipment, sportsclothing, protective gear, climbing gear, ski wear, performance apparel,goggles, eyeglasses, sunglasses, pads, shoelaces, jewelry, traction pads(surfing), leashes (surfing), wetsuits, knee braces, wrist braces, backbraces, compression wear, and watches.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many embodiments were chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the inventionand its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in theart to understand the invention for various embodiments and with variousmodifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A mount adapted to enclose an image, the mount comprising: a base comprising a base silicone; a housing comprising a housing silicone; a lens comprising a transparent silicone; the housing having a back-plate secured to the base; the housing having a rim disposed around the periphery of the back-plate; the rim defining a shallow cavity configured to receive the image; and the lens positioned in the shallow cavity and attached to the rim and thereby configured to secure an image between the lens and the back-plate.
 2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the base silicone is more elastic than the housing silicone.
 3. The mount of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a peripheral sewing channel.
 4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a reinforcing fabric.
 5. The mount of claim 1, wherein the base and the housing are circular.
 6. The mount of claim 1, wherein: the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and the housing is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal.
 7. The mount of claim 1, wherein: the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and the housing is the same shape as the base.
 8. The mount of claim 1, in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel.
 9. The mount of claim 1, in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is bonded to the fabric of the item of apparel.
 10. The mount of claim 1, in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel and wherein the item of apparel is one of a wristband and a headband.
 11. An item of apparel comprising: a fabric surface; a mount adapted to enclose an image, the mount including, a base; a housing having a back-plate secured to the base; the housing having a rim disposed around the periphery of the back-plate; the rim defining a shallow cavity configured to receive the image, a transparent lens positioned in the shallow cavity and attached to the rim and thereby configured to secure an image between the lens and the back-plate; and wherein the base of the mount is secured to the fabric surface.
 12. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base is made of a base material and the housing is made of a housing material and wherein the base material has an elasticity intermediate an elasticity of the housing material and the fabric surface.
 13. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a peripheral sewing channel and wherein the base is sewn to the fabric surface with stitching which passes through the peripheral sewing channel and the fabric surface.
 14. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a reinforcing fabric.
 15. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base and the housing are circular.
 16. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein: the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and the housing is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal.
 17. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein: the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and the housing is the same shape as the base.
 18. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel.
 19. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the base is bonded to the fabric of the item of apparel.
 20. The item of apparel of claim 11, wherein the item of apparel is an item selected from: a wristband; a headband; pants, hats, belts, shoes, jackets, headbands, swimwear, socks, underwear, caps, beanies, fedoras, gloves, sports equipment, sports clothing, protective gear, climbing gear, ski wear, performance apparel, goggles, eyeglasses, sunglasses, pads, shoelaces, jewelry, traction pads, leashes, wetsuits, knee braces, wrist braces, back braces, compression wear, and watches. 